Sarandon's belly ache

The 59-year-old actress injured herself while practising erotic dance moves for her new film 'Bernard and Doris', in which she plays eccentric tobacco billionairness Doris Duke whose favourite pastime was belly dancing.

Sarandon claims she really enjoyed learning the exotic art but had to give it up after twisting her lower back which left her writhing in agony.

She revealed: "It's wonderful, very liberating, but I threw myself into it too much. I did something to my back and that was the end of it.

"I was in such pain. I almost crippled myself."

However, the 'Thelma and Louise' star insists belly dancing is a great way to keep in shape and hasn't ruled out taking it up again when she recovers from her injury.

She added: "It's a marvellous way to keep supple. We were doing it at home with our friends."